How to Travel Around Korea

Korea has a well-developed and efficient transportation system. There are several choices available, all of which are generally inexpensive and convenient.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• passport
• visa and other valid travel documents

Bus

1. Buses are good alternative transports when you need to get to a place not serviced by air or rail. Bus stops have maps and other information to help you get on the right bus.

2. It helps to know a little bit of conversational Korean when dealing with bus station personnel, as most of them speak very minimal English.

3. Buses generally run on schedule. To get from location to the next in the same city you can use the inter-city bus. To travel between cities, use the express bus. On express buses you can only purchase your ticket on the day you want to travel.

Taxi

4. Taxis are usually hailed from the street or at one of the many marked taxi stops in the metro.

5. “Mobum” or black-colored taxis are large and more expensive than the common taxi, which is white or silver colored. It’s better to ride in this type of taxi when you have a lot of luggage or several people traveling with you. The driver also gives you a receipt upon arrival at your destination.

6. Some words and phrases the come in handy during your taxi ride:
   Please go to (name of place). (Name of place) Ai ga-jusaeyo
   Go straight ahead. Ddokparo ga-jusaeyo.
   Turn left. Wen-jjok uro dolla ka-jusaeyo.
   Turn right. Uron-jjok uro dolla ka-jusaeyo.
   Stop here, please. Yeogiseo naeryeo jusaeyo
   How much is the fare? Yogumee alma-yaeyo?

Train

7. Korea has a pretty good transit system. Train schedules are even available online so you can plan your trip in advance. Always choose the route with the least transfers. You can purchase your fare easily in vending machines or manned counters.

8. Signs and announcements are in Korean, English and Chinese, so it’s really not a problem following directions within the terminal. To avoid getting lost, always note major and key stops along the way, as well as exit numbers at the destination station.

9. Wear comfortable clothing. The inside of the trains can get very humid and stuffy during rush hour and in the summer months.

10. Some words and phrases that come in handy at the subway/train station:
    Train station - kich'a yeok
    Subway station - chihach'eol yeok
    I’d like a ticket to (name of place)… (name of place) haeng p'yo hanjang chusaeyo

Air

11. There are several operational airports in South Korea and flights are generally on time. Make sure you get to the airport an hour or two ahead of your scheduled flight.

12. As long as you have your travel documents in order, getting through Korean customs is easy and the lines are fairly short compared to that of other airports.

13. Some words and phrases that may come in handy during your time at the airport:
    Airplane - Gonghang
    Airport - Hanggonggi
    Passport - Yeogwon
    Visa - Bija
    Airline ticket – Hanggonggwon
    Boarding Pass - Tapseunggwon
    Arrival - Dochak
    Departure - Chulbal
    I’d like to confirm my reservation. Yeyageul jaehwaginhago sipeundeyo
    I’d like to change my flight reservation. Yeyageul byeongyeonghago sipeundeyo
    Can I check in here? Yeogiseo tapseungsusogi dwaeyo?
    Please tell me the gate number. Geiteu beonhoreul allyeo juseyo.
    This is carry-on baggage. I jimeun ginaero gajigo deureogamnida
    I am here on business. Saeopcha watseumnida.
    I am here on vacation. Hyugacha watseumnida.

[celticjames]

on 6/17/2008 really good. Just a little extra about the KTX. Its koreas fast train and pretty much goes to most parts of korea, amd where it doesnt go, there are likely to be other trains to serve you.